The University of Arizona men’s basketball team is set to cap its preseason exhibition schedule on Friday night with a matchup against the Eastern Washington Eagles at the ALKEME Arena inside McKale Center. After two double‑digit wins – a 93‑69 triumph over San Francisco on Oct. 13 and an 82‑67 victory over San Diego State last Friday – the Wildcats will use this final warm‑up to fine‑tune rotations before the regular season opens on Nov. 2 in Las Vegas against UCLA.
Coaching connections add intrigue
Eastern Washington is led by Dan Monson, who coached at Gonzaga nearly three decades ago when Tommy Lloyd first received a job offer from the Bulldogs. Monson’s path has taken him through Minnesota and a long stint at Long Beach State before arriving in Cheney for his third season with the Eagles. The two coaches share a history that adds a personal dimension to Friday’s game.
Key players to watch
EWU enters the contest with two preseason all‑conference selections: guard Andrew Cook and forward Alton Hamilton IV, who averaged 13.5 points and 5.7 rebounds last season. Hamilton, listed at 6‑9 and 250 lb, will line up alongside 6‑10, 235‑lb forward Emmett Marquardt, who posted nine rebounds in an exhibition against Cal State Bakersfield. The Eagles also feature a sizable frontcourt with 7‑2 Zach Trezvant, 6‑8 Shaumba Ngoyi and 6‑8 Lance Horntvedt Jr., presenting Arizona with its biggest size challenge in exhibition play.
Arizona’s lineup and depth experiment
Coach Lloyd may adjust his starting five, which currently features Ivan Kharchenkov at power forward and Bryce James as a third guard. The exhibition series has also given the Wildcats a look at reserve big men Ugnius Jaruvicius, Evan Otten (who sat out the San Diego State game) and Maksim Brnovic. Their performance could influence regular‑season minutes for the frontcourt.
Shooting statistics and offensive trends
Through two exhibitions, Arizona has shot 43.1 % from the field, including a modest 34.7 % in the San Diego State game. The Wildcats missed 14 of 21 layups and recorded only 32 of their 82 points in the paint, highlighting a need for stronger interior scoring. On the perimeter, the team attempted 34 three‑pointers against SDSU – seven more than any game last season – with five different players hitting threes. Derek Dixon and Caleb Holt led the long‑range attempts, taking 13 and 10 shots respectively, while Kharchenkov and JJ Mandaquit each launched eight attempts, converting at a 30.7 % clip.
Impact of RJ Godfrey’s eligibility case
If forward RJ Godfrey prevails in his ongoing legal battle to become eligible, Friday’s exhibition could be the last chance for Lloyd to evaluate his fit in the rotation. The outcome will shape the Wildcats’ frontcourt depth heading into conference play.
What the game means for Tucson fans
For local supporters, the exhibition offers a preview of the team’s style and a chance to see how the coaching staff balances veteran leadership with emerging talent. The Wildcats’ emphasis on three‑point shooting and the development of big‑man reserves aligns with the fast‑paced, perimeter‑oriented brand of play that has become a hallmark of Arizona basketball under Lloyd.
As the Wildcats prepare for their first official contest against UCLA, Friday’s game will serve as a final diagnostic tool for the coaching staff. Whether the Eagles’ size advantage forces a tactical shift or the Wildcats’ shooting continues to improve, the outcome will help shape the roster that aims to compete for a conference title and a deep NCAA tournament run.
Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.
